Omega’s picks of all time favourite games and most memorable moments from the NES to the N64.

Here’s my two cents on some of the best games that have graced Nintendo consoles over the past 20 years.  These are of course based on my own personal opinion and I’m sure yours may be quite different.  I'll be putting together similar guides for Sega, Sony, and other game systems.

Nintendo NES

Best RPG :  Legend of Zelda

What more needs to be said.  The Legend of Zelda franchise is one of the longest running and most successful series of video games out there. 

Best Racing Game:  Rad Racer

Many people may not agree with this one as there were a myriad of excellent NES racers released.  I don’t think that any of them have the nostalgic appeal or bring back as many fond memories of this Nintendo first-party racer released early in the NES life cycle.

Best Action Game:  Contra

All I can say is Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A B A select start.

Best Wrestling Game: Pro Wrestling

Although Tecmo World wrestling may have sported better graphics and a better game engine nothing compares to the original Pro Wrestling.  Star Man, Fighter Hayabusa, King Korn Karn. Still one of my all time favourite games.

Best game you never played: Adventures of LoLo

What a cool puzzle game, if you can find one pick it up, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

Most memorable moment: 

Finishing Super Mario Brothers 8 times in a row with one man

Most regrettable memory:

Buying M.U.S.C.L.E. wrestling expecting to play the best tag team wrestling game on the system and being bitterly disappointed by one of the worst games I’ve ever played.

Super Nintendo SNES

Best RPG :  Chrono Trigger

Squaresoft really made a mark on the gaming world by releasing several fantastic RPG’s on the SNES.  This was a tough call between Final Fantasy III (FF VI in Japan) or Zelda but Chrono Trigger was the penultimate RPG at the time and still one of the most lucrative SNES titles to own.

Best Racing Game:  Super Mario Kart

Anything bearing the Mario name is pretty much a guaranteed winner.  Mario Kart on the SNES is one of the first games to take advantage of the heavily marketed “Mode-7” graphics capability of the SNES.  To this day you’ll see a plethora of Mario Kart clones and sequels even on the Next Gen systems.

Best Action Game:  Super Metroid

A deep, engaging, and punishing game.  If you’ve never played Super Metroid you need to.

Best Wrestling Game: WWF RAW

If we included the Japanese Market I would have to say Fire Pro Wrestling Special as it was leaps and bounds ahead of the North American wrestling games.  However, of those released in North America WWF Raw provided gamers with the most options, best graphics, and best gameplay.  Natsume Championship wrestling comes in at a close second as the unlicensed clone of the fantastic Japanese wrestler All Japan Pro Wrestling.

Best game you never played: Zombies Ate my Neighbors

A two player action game that boasted 50+ levels of bizarre, zany action that today holds up as one of the best action games ever released.

Most memorable moment: 

Seeing the rain fall at night for the first time when playing Zelda A Link To The Past.

Most regrettable memory:

Selling my Final Fantasy II and III mint and complete on eBay.

Nintendo 64

Best RPG   Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time

One of the most wide-open and deep action RPG’s in recent history.  Ocarina of time awarded gamers with innovative gameplay, fantastic graphics, and one of the best musical scores in a video game.

Best Racing Game:  Mario Kart 64

I’m not trying to be redundant here as my top pick for N64 is the same as SNES but despite the amount of great racers on the system (Beetle Adventure Racing, The RUSH series, Top Gear Overdrive) Mario Kart is arguably the best “racing” experience on the system.

Best Action Game:  Super Mario 64

Okay, so it’s a platformer and not an action game but I didn’t have a platformer category.  Super Mario 64 changed the way video game companies presented platform gaming.  The first game to provide a true 3D platform experience with adjustable camera angles, amazing graphics, and true analog functionality.  Super Mario 64 is hands down the best platform game ever released.

Best Wrestling Game: WWF No Mercy

THQ dominated the wrestling market with their hugely successful series of games that began with WCW NOW World Tour.  Each year they improved on the enging and added more and more features for the hungry wrestling game fans out there.  No Mercy is head and shoulders above the rest.

Best game you never played: Sin and Punishment

I have to give Treasure props here and although it was never released in North America, Sin and Punishment is one of the best N64 games released.  Treasure has been known to release fantastic games on every platform and Sin and Punishment is no different.  If you are willing to part with a pretty penny, try picking one of these up on eBay.

Most memorable moment: 

Spending more time playing Goldeneye 007 in multiplayer than any other game I’ve ever played.

Most regrettable memory:

Buying the Mad Catz steering wheel.  What a piece of junk.